Sialkot History

We have arranged for you links and resources regarding Sialkot history to let you
know about past facts of this beautiful city of Pakistan. If we follow with respect
to time eras then Sialkot history can be divided into following

Vedic EraAn era when it is ruled by a dynasty of a founder of Sialkot (or Sakala)
named as Raja Sul (Sala) before 5000 years ago from today.

Persian Greek EraWhile reviewing the History of Sialkot in details some facts denotes that
this city was the eastern most outpost of Alexander the Great Hellenic Empire comprising
Persians and Greeks. During 160 and 135 BC Sialkot acted as one of the capitals
of Indo-Greek Empire.

Scythian Hun EraThe Scythian Hun era revolves around the story of Raja Sáliváhan, his son,
Raja Rasálu, and his enemy, Raja Húdi. Raja Sáliváhan belongs to a caste named as
‘Sia’ which is a jut clan of Scythian origins built a fort and gave city a name
of Sialkot. After death of Raja Sáliváhan, Raja Rasálu came into throne and fought
with chieftain of Ghaker named as Raja Húdi and defeated by him. After his death
in 400 AD there was no significant accounts for Sialkot history for next 300 years.
During the last quarter of 5th century Huns sacked the city. After that phase it
is believed that it remained part of Jammu ruler named as Raja Bahram Deo.

Muslim Mughal EraMuslim Mughal Era starts when Shahab-ud-Din Muhammad Ghauri conquered Punjab
in 1011 and dissolved the city as a part of the Muslim Sultanate of Delhi. Sialkot
acted as his garrison. After that this city came under rule of Mughal Empire of
India and Mughal emperor Jalal-ud-Din Muhammad considered it as part of Rachna-Bar
Sarkar of Lahore province. Ali Mardan Khan was the chief of the city during reign
of Mughal Emperor, Shahab-ud-Din Muhammad Shah Jahan.

Afghan Pastuns EraAfter the end of Mughal reign it came under a pastuns families from kandhar
and Kabul although the surroundings were possessed by Raja Ranjit Deo of Jammu.
During 1748 Ahmad shah durrani conquered and let Sialkot part of afghan empire.
Meanwhile Raja Ranjit Deo of Jammu continued to make his holdings in remote areas
of the strong but not invaded Sialkot. The Sikhs gain control of this city from
pastuns and ruled for 40 years till British dominion.

Sikh British EraAfter Ahmad shah durrani reign, Britishers aided pastuns financially, economically
and militarily to push Afghans further west. Between 1797 and 1810 it was occupied
by Raja Ranjit Singh however after Second Anglo-Sikh War in 1849 Sialkot was captured
by British.

Pakistan Movement EraPakistan movement era marks efforts of Allama Iqbal who was born in Sialkot
and also famous convention of may 1944 which portrayed the All India Muslim League
as prominent figure in the British-Indian Punjab including participants of famous
names like Muhammad Ali Jinnah, Liaquat Ali Khan, 'Lord' Chaudhry Naseer Ahmad Malhi,
Khawaja Nazim-ud-Din, Sardar Abd-ur-Rab Nishtar, Mumtaz Ahmad Khan Daultana, Nawab
Iftikhar Hussain Khan of Mamdot and Maulvi Tamiz-ud-Din.

Modern EraWhen Pakistan was founded during 1947 majority of immigrants who comprise
population from Pathan Kot and Gurdaspur settled in this city after that Sialkot
has gradually become a major industrial city of Pakistan. Sialkot also witnessed
a great battle of Tanks ever after the First World War also known as “Battle of
Chawinda” in 1965 Second Kashmir War when people of city along with Pakistani Army
fought against numerically superior and well equipped Indian army and showed acts
of vigor and bravery by defending Pakistan.